Isothermal and nonisothermal crystallization kinetics of poly(ether ether ketone)/gadolinium oxide composites

Abstract

In this study, poly(ether ether ketone) (PEEK)/gadolinium oxide (Gd 2 O 3 ) composites were prepared by melt extrusion in combination with a Haake rheometer. Differential scanning calorimetry was used to investigate the crystallization behavior of PEEK and its corresponding composites. The microstructural features of the composites and the interfacial interactions between the filler and PEEK phases were viewed with a scanning electron microscope. Gd 2 O 3 powder was blended with PEEK, and sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) (SPEEK) was used as the compatibilizer in the PEEK/Gd 2 O 3 composites. Isothermal crystallization exotherms showed that the addition of SPEEK increased the crystallization of PEEK in PEEK/Gd 2 O 3 composites. However, the PEEK crystallization rates decreased with increasing Gd 2 O 3 fractions, which probably resulted from the Gd 2 O 3 that had no heterogeneous nucleation effects on the matrix. The modified Avrami equation and Mo's equation were used to study the nonisothermal crystallization kinetics. The addition of Gd 2 O 3 did not change the nucleation process of PEEK, but it markedly decreased the crystal growth rate.

Non-Isothermal Crystallization Behavior of PEEK/Graphene Nanoplatelets Composites from Melt and Glass States

“…The lower Z c values of PEEK/GNP samples is probably due to the mobility hindrance of the PEEK chains with the addition of GNP. This behaviour was previously reported with the addition of nano-SiO 2 particles, short glass fibres, or Gd 2 O 3 [3,37,42].…”

Preparation and radiation shielding properties of Gd2O3/PEEK composites

“…In general, the T c of the SPEEK‐modified Gd 2 O 3 ‐filled PEEK composites was higher than that of the unmodified composites to some extent in all the filling ratios. These results can be interpreted as an indication that PEEK chains favored to grow at the interface between PEEK and SPEEK‐modified Gd 2 O 3 ; thus, an increased crystallization rate in the PEEK phase was observed for modified composites . Ma et al obtained a similar trend in T c for unmodified and coupling agent modified wollastonite‐reinforced PEEK composites.…”